US5562799A - Constant fusing pressure thermoplastic lid sealing apparatus and method - Google Patents
Constant fusing pressure thermoplastic lid sealing apparatus and method Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US5562799A US5562799A US08/260,191 US26019194A US5562799A US 5562799 A US5562799 A US 5562799A US 26019194 A US26019194 A US 26019194A US 5562799 A US5562799 A US 5562799A
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- lid
- conveyor
- sealing apparatus
- shaft
- pathway
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
- B29C66/83—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools
- B29C66/834—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools moving with the parts to be joined
- B29C66/8341—Roller, cylinder or drum types; Band or belt types; Ball types
- B29C66/83421—Roller, cylinder or drum types; Band or belt types; Ball types band or belt types
- B29C66/83423—Roller, cylinder or drum types; Band or belt types; Ball types band or belt types cooperating bands or belts
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
- B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
- B29C65/44—Joining a heated non plastics element to a plastics element
- B29C65/46—Joining a heated non plastics element to a plastics element heated by induction
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/50—General aspects of joining tubular articles; General aspects of joining long products, i.e. bars or profiled elements; General aspects of joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; General aspects of joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
- B29C66/51—Joining tubular articles, profiled elements or bars; Joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; Joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
- B29C66/54—Joining several hollow-preforms, e.g. half-shells, to form hollow articles, e.g. for making balls, containers; Joining several hollow-preforms, e.g. half-cylinders, to form tubular articles
- B29C66/542—Joining several hollow-preforms, e.g. half-shells, to form hollow articles, e.g. for making balls, containers; Joining several hollow-preforms, e.g. half-cylinders, to form tubular articles joining hollow covers or hollow bottoms to open ends of container bodies
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
- B29C66/74—Joining plastics material to non-plastics material
- B29C66/742—Joining plastics material to non-plastics material to metals or their alloys
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
- B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
- B29C66/816—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the mounting of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps
- B29C66/8161—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the mounting of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps said pressing elements being supported or backed-up by springs or by resilient material
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
- B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
- B29C66/818—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the cooling constructional aspects, or by the thermal or electrical insulating or conducting constructional aspects of the welding jaws or of the clamps ; comprising means for compensating for the thermal expansion of the welding jaws or of the clamps
- B29C66/8182—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the cooling constructional aspects, or by the thermal or electrical insulating or conducting constructional aspects of the welding jaws or of the clamps ; comprising means for compensating for the thermal expansion of the welding jaws or of the clamps characterised by the thermal insulating constructional aspects
- B29C66/81821—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the cooling constructional aspects, or by the thermal or electrical insulating or conducting constructional aspects of the welding jaws or of the clamps ; comprising means for compensating for the thermal expansion of the welding jaws or of the clamps characterised by the thermal insulating constructional aspects of the welding jaws
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
- B29C66/82—Pressure application arrangements, e.g. transmission or actuating mechanisms for joining tools or clamps
- B29C66/822—Transmission mechanisms
- B29C66/8226—Cam mechanisms; Wedges; Eccentric mechanisms
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
- B29C66/82—Pressure application arrangements, e.g. transmission or actuating mechanisms for joining tools or clamps
- B29C66/822—Transmission mechanisms
- B29C66/8226—Cam mechanisms; Wedges; Eccentric mechanisms
- B29C66/82263—Follower pin or roller cooperating with a groove
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
- B29C66/82—Pressure application arrangements, e.g. transmission or actuating mechanisms for joining tools or clamps
- B29C66/824—Actuating mechanisms
- B29C66/8242—Pneumatic or hydraulic drives
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
- B29C66/83—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools
- B29C66/834—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools moving with the parts to be joined
- B29C66/8351—Jaws mounted on rollers, cylinders, drums, bands, belts or chains; Flying jaws
- B29C66/83531—Jaws mounted on rollers, cylinders, drums, bands, belts or chains; Flying jaws jaws mounted on chains
- B29C66/83533—Cooperating jaws mounted on cooperating chains and moving in a closed path
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B7/00—Closing containers or receptacles after filling
- B65B7/16—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons
- B65B7/28—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons by applying separate preformed closures, e.g. lids, covers
- B65B7/2842—Securing closures on containers
- B65B7/2878—Securing closures on containers by heat-sealing
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
- B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
- B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
- B29C66/12—Joint cross-sections combining only two joint-segments; Tongue and groove joints; Tenon and mortise joints; Stepped joint cross-sections
- B29C66/124—Tongue and groove joints
- B29C66/1246—Tongue and groove joints characterised by the female part, i.e. the part comprising the groove
- B29C66/12463—Tongue and groove joints characterised by the female part, i.e. the part comprising the groove being tapered
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/50—General aspects of joining tubular articles; General aspects of joining long products, i.e. bars or profiled elements; General aspects of joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; General aspects of joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
- B29C66/51—Joining tubular articles, profiled elements or bars; Joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; Joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
- B29C66/53—Joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars
- B29C66/534—Joining single elements to open ends of tubular or hollow articles or to the ends of bars
- B29C66/5346—Joining single elements to open ends of tubular or hollow articles or to the ends of bars said single elements being substantially flat
- B29C66/53461—Joining single elements to open ends of tubular or hollow articles or to the ends of bars said single elements being substantially flat joining substantially flat covers and/or substantially flat bottoms to open ends of container bodies
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
- B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
- B29C66/812—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the composition, by the structure, by the intensive physical properties or by the optical properties of the material constituting the pressing elements, e.g. constituting the welding jaws or clamps
- B29C66/8122—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the composition, by the structure, by the intensive physical properties or by the optical properties of the material constituting the pressing elements, e.g. constituting the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the composition of the material constituting the pressing elements, e.g. constituting the welding jaws or clamps
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
- B29C66/83—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools
- B29C66/834—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools moving with the parts to be joined
- B29C66/8341—Roller, cylinder or drum types; Band or belt types; Ball types
- B29C66/83421—Roller, cylinder or drum types; Band or belt types; Ball types band or belt types
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
- B29K2101/00—Use of unspecified macromolecular compounds as moulding material
- B29K2101/12—Thermoplastic materials
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
- B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
- B29L2031/712—Containers; Packaging elements or accessories, Packages
- B29L2031/717—Cans, tins
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T156/00—Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
- Y10T156/17—Surface bonding means and/or assemblymeans with work feeding or handling means
- Y10T156/1702—For plural parts or plural areas of single part
- Y10T156/1744—Means bringing discrete articles into assembled relationship
- Y10T156/1768—Means simultaneously conveying plural articles from a single source and serially presenting them to an assembly station
- Y10T156/1771—Turret or rotary drum-type conveyor
Definitions
- the present invention relates, generally, to lid sealing apparatus, and, more particularly, relates to thermoplastic lid sealing apparatus fused through a substantially constant fusing pressure.
- Peelable lids for canned goods are generally comprised of deformable steel or aluminum lids clinch double seam-sealed to a steel or aluminum can body.
- These lids are problematic and disadvantageous in many respects. For instance, they pose serious health hazards for children as they may cut themselves on the exposed edge of the peeled lid when licking the lid or the can flange. Difficulties are also encountered when manually breaking the seal and subsequently peeling the metallic lids off the can body. Further, the metallic lids, when separated from the can, are often discarded as waste rather than being recycled.
- thermoplastic lids 15 include a peelable lid portion 16 premounted or preformed on a thermoplastic fusing ring portion 17 which is to be heat fused to a circumferential flange 18 at an open end 20 into a metallic can body 21.
- FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate that fusing ring 17 includes an annular groove 22 formed for receipt of circumferential flange 18 therein (FIG. 2A).
- thermoplastic lids 15 Once these thermoplastic lids 15 are fused to can body 21, these lids have proven easier to open and are safer to use by children than metallic lids in that the edges of the thermoplastic lid and flange may be licked without concern for injury. In addition, while these lids are completely recyclable, they do not pose as significant an environmental waste when discarded as disposed metallic goods. Typical of these heat-sealable thermoplastic lids may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,246,134 to Fraser et al.; and 5,125,528 to Heyn et al.
- thermoplastic peelable lids are superior in form and function, as compared to metallic peelable lids, these arrangements are difficult to manufacture. Because lid 15 is deformable, to fuse ring portion 17 to can body flange 18, the can body 21 must be heated quickly to a sufficient temperature for localized contact melting of the lid. During the heating of the can body, a fusing pressure is continuously applied between the can and the thermoplastic lid to induce melting through conductive contact. Once the fusing ring portion is sufficiently melted, the fusing pressure is substantially increased to facilitate adhesion between the two fused components. Since this technique enhances adhesion, the burst pressure of the seal is also substantially increased.
- thermoplastic lid can be automatically seated and oriented atop the can body for mounting engagement with flange 18. Subsequently, the can/lid combination is positioned to enter a lid sealing machine 23 for fusing of the lid to the can body.
- a lid sealing machine 23 for fusing of the lid to the can body.
- current thermoplastic lid sealing technology places the can/lid combination in an upright position which is movably supported on a first belt conveyor assembly 24.
- a second belt conveyor assembly 25 is positioned in opposed relation to first belt conveyor assembly 24 which cooperates therewith to apply a continuous fusing pressure between the can and the lid, and to drive the can/lid combination along a pathway formed between the first and second conveyor assemblies.
- the first and second conveyor assemblies 24, 25 include opposing drive belts 26, 27, respectively, which are positioned a fixed predetermined distance apart which squeeze the can and lid together to create the continuous fusing pressure as the can/lid combination passes therethrough.
- the second conveyor assembly includes an induction heating coil 28 (FIG. 4) extending longitudinally along the pathway just above upper drive belt 27. This coil quickly heats the can body as it passes through a electromagnetic field created by coil 28 which induces a current through the can body causing it to heat up and melt the thermoplastic ring.
- induction heating coil 28 FIG. 4
- a set of shims 29 are positioned under first conveyor assembly belt 24 downstream from induction heating coil 28 which creates a pressure bump in the pathway.
- This increase in fusing pressure substantially greater than the continuous fusing pressure applied between the opposing belts, enhances seal integrity which increases the can bursting pressure.
- the fusing pressure pushing the lid and can together begins to decrease. This occurs because the distance between opposing belts 26, 27 is fixed, and as the plastic lid melts onto the flange, the can/lid height combination decreases. During continued melting of the plastic fusing ring, the lid begins to float on the liquid plastic.
- thermoplastic can sealing machine is adequate when all components of the machine are functioning properly, many .mechanical and sealing problems are associated with these first generation machines. Severe problems may occur when the can height varies by as little as 0.03 inches. Since the predetermined distances between the opposing belts are fixed, even at the pressure bump area, tall cans may penetrate the flange of the can too deeply into the thermoplastic lid which can deform or crush the can body. In contrast, too short of a can may not penetrate the flange deep enough into the thermoplastic fusing ring which adversely affects seal integrity. Additionally, tilting of the lids can occur when the fused lids are not constantly urged against can flange after passing through the pressure bump region during cooling and solidification of the thermoplastic lid to the can body.
- this prior art sealing apparatus 23 is transporting, heating, fusing and curing a plurality of cans between the conveyors, simultaneously, one or both of the belt drives 26, 27 sometimes slips relative one another. This causes differences in the relative speed between lower belt 26 and upper belt 27 which, even with small speed differences when transported along the pathway, can cause the warm plastic lid to creep. This creep may deform the lid from its normal symmetrical shape, again potentially affecting seal integrity. Finally, malfunction of the capping machine may cause severe damage to the drive belts. As the can heats up during passage through the induction heating coils, contact of the heated can flange with the thin plastic belts can burn holes therethrough which ultimately requires frequent replacement of the belts.
- thermoplastic lid sealing apparatus and method which improves seal integrity between the thermoplastic lid and the metallic can body.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a thermoplastic lid sealing apparatus and method which automatically compensates for height differences in the can body.
- Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a thermoplastic lid sealing apparatus and method which substantially reduces speed differences between opposing conveyors.
- Still another object of the present invention is to provide a thermoplastic lid sealing apparatus and method which decreases maintenance and replacement of the conveyor components.
- thermoplastic lid sealing apparatus and method which is durable, compact, easy to maintain, has a minimum number of components, and is economical to manufacture.
- one embodiment of the present invention provides a lid sealing apparatus for sealing a heat-sealable lid to a can having an open end upon which the lid is to be fused and an opposite end.
- the lid sealing apparatus includes a frame, and a first conveyor assembly coupled to the frame.
- the first conveyor assembly includes a plurality of independent, transversely mounted side-by-side support shoes of relative rigidity collectively cooperating to define a segmented first surface for supporting and moving the can along a pathway.
- a second conveyor assembly is coupled to the frame and extends along and is adjacent to the first conveyor assembly.
- the second conveyor assembly includes a relatively rigid second surface in opposed moving relation to the first surface for further transport of the can between the first and second conveyor assemblies along the pathway.
- a heating element is positioned along a portion of one of the first surface and the second surface. This element is formed to thermally fuse the lid to the can open end.
- a plurality of individual spring suspension mechanisms is operably mounted to the frame and provides moving support to each support shoe as it moves along the pathway. Each spring suspension mechanism individually biases the first surface of the first conveyor assembly toward the second surface of the second conveyor assembly to provide a substantially constant fusing pressure between the can open end and the lid as the two travel as a unit.
- the constant fusing pressure being sufficient in duration relative to conveyor speed to hold the lid against the can open end to allow melting and thermal fusion of the lid to the can open end.
- a synchronism mechanism is operably coupled between the first conveyor assembly and the second conveyor assembly to synchronize the speed of passage of the first surface with the second surface through the pathway while carrying the can between the first surface and the opposing second surface.
- a pressure bump device is operably coupled to at least one of the first conveyor assembly and the second conveyor assembly for causing a substantially constant high pressure between the lid and the can open end substantially greater than the constant fusing pressure applied by the suspension mechanisms. This increased pressure substantially improves fusing adhesion between the components.
- This bump device is located at a position along a portion of the pathway where the can/lid combination has been sufficiently heated to melt and fuse the lid to the can open end.
- each support shoe includes a roller mechanism rotatably mounted at opposing transverse ends thereof to provide rolling support of each shoe as it travels over the spring suspension mechanisms during passage through the pathway.
- each spring suspension mechanism includes a pair of individual spaced-apart presser shoes each having a roller surface positioned to engage and provide the rolling support to the corresponding roller mechanism. Each independent pair of presser shoes cooperates with adjacent pairs of presser shoes to form the pathway.
- the first conveyor assembly includes a base plate rotatably mounted to the frame about an axis for movement along a circular pathway.
- a plurality of bearings are circumferentially mounted about the axis to said base plate, where each bearing corresponds to one spring suspension mechanism.
- Each suspension mechanism includes a sliding shaft slidably coupled to the corresponding bearing. One end of the sliding shaft is mounted to a corresponding support shoe and an opposite end thereof is movably mounted to the frame to produce sliding movement of the corresponding support shoe first surface toward the second surface of the second conveyor assembly.
- a method of fusing a heat-sealable lid to an open end of a can using the above-described lid sealing apparatus comprising the steps of positioning the lid on the can open end, placing the can body and the lid between the first conveyor first surface and the second conveyor second surface for transport along said pathway. Next, heating the can body along a portion of one of the first surface and the second surface to a temperature sufficient to thermally fuse the lid to the can open end.
- FIG. 1A is an exploded top perspective view of a prior art thermoplastic lid before being thermally fused to a metallic can body.
- FIG. 1B is a top perspective view of the prior art thermoplastic lid thermally fused to the metallic can body.
- FIG. 2A is a fragmentary, enlarged, side elevation view, in cross-section, of the thermoplastic lid and metallic can body taken substantially along the plane of line 2A--2A of FIG. 1A.
- FIG. 2B is a fragmentary, enlarged, side elevation view, in cross-section, of the thermoplastic lid thermally fused to the metallic can body taken substantially along the plane of line 2B--2B of FIG. 1B.
- FIG. 3 is a schematic side elevation view of a prior art induction coil lid sealing apparatus.
- FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the prior art induction coil lid sealing apparatus of FIG. 3.
- FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, schematic side elevation view, partially broken-away, of a constant fusing pressure thermoplastic lid sealing apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention and as incorporated in a linear-type conveyor assembly.
- FIG. 6 is a top plan view, partially broken-away, of the constant fusing pressure thermoplastic lid sealing apparatus of FIG. 5.
- FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, enlarged, side elevation view of the individual suspension mechanisms of a first conveyor assembly of the present invention taken substantially along the line 7--7 of FIG. 5.
- FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, reduced, front elevation view, in cross-section, of the first conveyor assembly of the present invention taken substantially along the plane of the line 8--8 of FIG. 7.
- FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, enlarged, side elevation view of a chain and drive sprocket mechanism operably coupled with a mechanical synchronism mechanism of the present invention taken substantially along the line 9--9 of FIG. 5.
- FIG. 10 is a fragmentary, enlarged, front elevation view of a pressure bump device of the present invention taken substantially along the plane of the line 10--10 of FIG. 5.
- FIG. 11 is a top plan view, in cross-section, of the pressure bump device taken substantially along the plane of the line 11--11 of FIG. 10.
- FIG. 12 is a fragmentary, top plan view, partially broken-away, of an alternate embodiment of the present invention incorporated in a rotary-type conveyor assembly.
- FIG. 13 is a side elevation view, in cross-section, of the rotary conveyor lid sealing apparatus taken substantially along the plane of the line 13--13 of FIG. 12.
- FIG. 14 is an enlarged, fragmentary, top plan view of the individual suspension mechanisms of the alternate embodiment of the present invention taken substantially along the line 14--14 of FIG. 12.
- FIG. 15 is a fragmentary side elevation view, in partial cross-section, of the individual suspension mechanisms engaging a cam track and taken substantially along the plane of the line 15--15 of FIG. 14.
- FIG. 16 is an enlarged, fragmentary side elevation view, in partial cross-section, of the individual suspension mechanisms at the pressure bump region and taken substantially along the plane of the line 16--16 of FIG. 12.
- Lid sealing apparatus 30 includes an elongated frame 33, and a first conveyor assembly, generally designated 34, coupled to the frame.
- First conveyor assembly 34 includes a plurality of independent, transversely mounted side-by-side support shoes, generally designated 35, collectively cooperating to define a segmented first surface 36 for supporting and moving the can/lid combination along a pathway.
- a second conveyor assembly is coupled to frame 33 and extends along and is adjacent to first conveyor assembly 34.
- Second conveyor assembly 37 includes a relatively rigid second surface 40 in opposed moving relation to first surface 36 for further transport of the can/lid combination between the first and second conveyor assemblies along the pathway.
- a heating element 42 is positioned longitudinally along a portion of one of first surface 36 and second surface 40. This element is formed to thermally fuse lid 15 to can open end 20.
- a plurality of individual spring suspension mechanisms, generally designated 43 each operably coupled to respective support shoes 35 which individually bias respective first surfaces 36 thereof toward the second surface of the second conveyor assembly to provide a substantially constant fusing pressure between can open end 20 and lid 15 as the two travel as a unit.
- the plurality of individual spring suspension mechanisms 43 is sufficient in number duration relative to conveyor speed to hold the lid against the can open end for a duration allowing melting and the thermal fusion of the lid to the can open end.
- individual spring suspension mechanisms 43 cooperating with individual support shoes 35 cooperate to squeeze thermoplastic lid 15 and a mounting flange 18 together at a constant fusing pressure during passage through the pathway.
- These individual spring suspension mechanisms reciprocate to locally increase or decrease the distance between the support shoe first surface 36 and second surface 40 to compensate for can body 21 height variations.
- a constant fusing pressure is thus applied between the can body and the lid which squeezes and fuses the two together during the localized melting and curing process of the thermoplastic lid.
- this novel arrangement eliminates problems associated with can height variation such as too deep a penetration of the can flange 18 into the lid fusing ring portion 17 when the can body height is too tall, or insufficient penetration of the flange into the fusing ring portion when the can body height is too short; both of which degrades seal integrity.
- tilting of the lids due to floating of the melted lid on the can is eliminated by applying a constant fusing pressure between the can body and the thermoplastic lid.
- a synchronism mechanism, generally designated 41, operably coupled between first conveyor assembly 34 and second conveyor assembly 37 mechanically synchronizes the speed of passage of the first surface with the second surface through the pathway while carrying the can/lid combination between the first surface and the opposing second surface.
- By synchronizing the speed of passage relative slip between the opposing first and second conveyor surfaces is eliminated which substantially eliminates relative speed difference between the same. Accordingly, deformation or creeping of the thermoplastic lids (during curing of the melted lids) is substantially eliminated which is an inherent problem with the prior art lid sealing apparatus.
- first conveyor assembly 34 is mounted to elongated frame 33 and preferably oriented below opposing second conveyor assembly 37.
- First surface 36 formed by support shoes 35, faces upwardly
- opposing second surface 40 of second conveyor assembly 37 also mounted to frame 33, faces downwardly to form a substantially linear pathway therebetween.
- the can/lid combination preferably enters sealing apparatus 30 (via, capping machine (not shown)) with can opposite end 32 seated and supported against upward facing support shoe first surface 36.
- the can body flange 18, forming the open end faces second conveyor second surface 40 with the thermoplastic lid therebetween.
- Metallic can body 21 is preferably heated by an induction heating coil 42 extending longitudinally along an upstream portion of the pathway. While coil 42 could be position anywhere proximate the upstream portion of the pathway, it is preferably positioned just above the aligned flight bars 44 (FIGS. 5 and 6) of the second conveyor assembly, to be discussed below. As mentioned, these induction coils are advantageous in that they are capable of quickly heating can body 21 without directly heating thermoplastic lid 15. An electromagnetic field is generated by coil 42 along the upstream portions of the pathway which induce a current flow through the can body for heating. The fusing ring portion is then melted through direct conductive contact with the heated flange of the can body. Induction coil 42 is preferably provided by a 50 KW coil generating a electromagnetic field of 30 KHZ which is well known in the field and does not constitute a novel feature of the present invention.
- individual spring suspension mechanisms 43 are mounted to frame 33 and provide moving support to each support shoe 35 as they individually move along the pathway. Further, the plurality of individual support shoes 35 extend in a side-by-side relation along the pathway and cooperate to form first surface 36 (FIGS. 7 and 11). Each shoe 35 is relatively rigid so as to support the weight of the plurality of can bodies 21 transported therealong. Further, these shoes are sufficiently rigid to support can body 21 without substantially deflecting or bending the shoe and to further enable individual spring suspension mechanisms 43 to exert a constant fusing pressure between the can body and the thermoplastic lid as they are squeezed between the support shoe first surface and the flight bar second surface.
- constant fusing pressure provided by suspension mechanisms 43 acting on first surfaces 36 could also be provided having the support shoes spring loaded along an inside portion thereof, or by providing a support shoe which is caused to deflect under load to exerts the appropriate constant fusing pressure between the can/lid combination.
- second support surface 36 of second conveyor assembly 37 is also provided by a plurality of individual flight bars 44 (FIGS. 7-10) extending transverse to the pathway in a side-by-side relation which cooperate to form the second support surface.
- Each flight bar 44 is also sufficiently rigid to support the can/lid combination without substantial deflection or bending of the flight bar to enable individual spring suspension mechanisms 43 to exert the constant fusing pressure on the can/lid combination.
- Synchronizing mechanism aligns one flight bar with one support shoe so that the corresponding first and second surfaces thereof pass through the pathway together in synchronization (FIG. 7). Further, a timing screw (not shown) assures that the can bodies are centered directly between one support shoe and the corresponding flight bar for full support thereon.
- Each support shoe 35 and each flight bar 44 is preferably provided by high strength epoxy laminated fiberglass flights which, due to their lack of conductivity, are particularly suitable for passing through the electromagnetic field generated by the induction heating coil without being adversely affected or influenced.
- each support shoe 35 is approximately dimensioned as follows: 3.0" L ⁇ 7.0" W ⁇ 0.375" T; and each flight bar 44 is approximately dimensioned as follows: 3.0" L ⁇ 7.0" W ⁇ 0.25" T. While these dimensions may vary without departing from the true spirit and nature of the present invention, the thickness of the upper flight bars 44 must be sufficiently thick to provide the above-mentioned support while being sufficiently thin to enable the induction heating coil 42 to induce a current on can body 21.
- pathway defined between the opposing first and second conveyor assemblies is preferably substantially linear, non-linear pathways may be defined therebetween without departing from the invention as long as the speed of passage of the first conveyor first surface 36 with the second conveyor second surface 40, while carrying the can/lid combination, is the substantially the same.
- each support shoe 35 and each flight bar includes a pair of spaced-apart roller mechanisms 45, 45' and 46, 46', respectively, which provide rolling support to the corresponding support shoe 35 as it travels over spring suspension mechanisms 43 (FIGS. 7 and 11), and to the corresponding flight bar 44 as it travels over elongated frame 33 (FIG. 10) during passage through the pathway.
- Each roller mechanism is preferably rotatably mounted at opposing transverse ends of the respective support shoe and flight bar through mounting brackets 47, 47' and 50, 50', as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, respectively.
- a first drive mechanism 51 is coupled to each support shoe 35 of the first conveyor assembly for propelling the plurality of shoes 35 along the pathway as a unit.
- FIGS. 7, 8 and 11 illustrate that first drive mechanism 51 is preferably provided by a pair of spaced-apart chain drives 52, 52' integrally supporting first roller mechanism 45, 45' therewith.
- These "load-bearing" roller chains well known in the field, provide rolling support to each support shoe against the contacting spring suspension mechanism 43.
- Each link of roller chain drives 52, 52' includes an individual roller member 53, 53' of first roller mechanism 45, 45' rotatably mounted about a linkage axis 54, 54' which individual linkage pivot about.
- roller chain drives 52, 52' will pivot about respective linkage axes 54, 54' (FIG. 8) to reciprocate the corresponding support shoes 35 for a suspension affect.
- a second drive mechanism 55 is coupled to each flight bar 44 of the second conveyor assembly for propelling the plurality of flight bars 44 along the pathway as a unit (FIGS. 9 and 10). Similar to the first drive mechanism, second drive mechanism 55 is preferably provided by a pair of spaced-apart "load-bearing" roller chain drives 56, 56' having second roller mechanisms 46, 46' integrally formed therewith. Hence, these roller chains provide both rolling support to each flight bar 44 and drive the flight bars through the pathway as a unit.
- both the first and the second roller chain drive mechanisms are engaged by drive sprockets 57, 58, respectively, which propel corresponding support shoes 35 and flight bars 44 through the pathway.
- This chain/sprocket arrangement prevents slippage of both first conveyor first surface 36 and second conveyor second surface 40, even when a full plurality of cans are being transported and pressed between the conveyors.
- FIG. 9 illustrates that synchronism mechanism 41 is mechanically provided by a synchronizing chain 60 operably coupled between the drive sprockets 57 and 58 which synchronize the speed of passage of the first surface with the second surface through the pathway.
- the support shoes are individually movably suspended on individual suspension mechanisms 43 by spaced-apart first roller mechanisms 45, 45'.
- Each spring suspension mechanism 43 includes a pair of individual spaced-apart presser shoes 61, 61' each having an upward facing roller surface 62, 62' positioned to engage and provide rolling support to corresponding first roller mechanisms 45, 45' as they pass thereby.
- the side-by-side presser shoes cooperate to guide the supports hoes along the pathway and to bias the support shoe towards the flight bars to induce the constant fusing pressure between the can body and the lid as the two pass through the pathway as a unit.
- Each presser shoe 61, 61' is preferably composed of a material, such as DELRIN (linear polyoxymethylene acetal resin), sufficiently durable to transmit the biasing forces of the corresponding suspension mechanism without excessive wear due to continuous contact with the roller mechanisms. Further, DELRIN is not adversely affected by the induction heating coil.
- FIG. 7 further illustrates that each roller surface 62, 62' of pressure shoe 61, 61' forms a ramp portion 63, 63' which facilitates rolling engagement as the first roller mechanisms 45, 45' pass from one suspension mechanism 43 to another.
- FIG. 10 illustrates that upper second conveyor assembly 37 includes a longitudinally extending guide track assembly 64, 64' formed to guide and support the plurality of flight bars 44 as they pass through the pathway.
- Each guide track assembly 64, 64' provides C-shaped channels 65, 65' having a lower guide track 66, 66' and an opposing upper guide track 67, 67' which cooperate to receive respective second roller mechanisms 46, 46' therebetween as they travel through the pathway.
- roller members 70, 70' of second roller mechanisms 46, 46' and corresponding C-shaped channels 65, 65' permits rolling support of flight bars 44 on the lower guide tracks 66, 66' when the can/lid combination is not carried therebetween, while permitting rolling support of flight bars 44 on the upper guide tracks 67, 67' when the can/lid combination is urged against the flight bars by suspension mechanisms 43 (FIG. 10).
- upper guide tracks 67, 67' prevent substantial vertical displacement of the flight bars when the suspension mechanisms urge the can/lid combination thereagainst.
- Both the upper guide tracks 67, 67' and lower guide tracks 66, 66' are mounted to elongated frame 33, and are preferably composed of epoxy fiberglass which is not adversely affected or influenced by induction coil.
- Upper guide tracks 67, 67' may include DELRIN (linear polyoxymethylene acetal resin) wear strips (not shown) positioned to contact the corresponding second roller mechanisms as they pass thereby.
- DELRIN linear polyoxymethylene acetal resin
- both the first conveyor assembly and the second conveyor assembly may include opposing suspension mechanisms which cooperate to provide the desired constant fusing pressure between the opposing first and second surfaces without departing from the true spirit and nature of the present invention.
- this constant fusing pressure is provided by a constant fusing force of between about 20 lbs. to about 50 lbs., generated by spring suspension mechanisms 43, which depends primarily on the induction coil output and on the composition of the plastic lid.
- each presser shoe 61 of suspension mechanism 43 is reciprocally supported by at least one, but preferably two, piston rod 71 having an upper end mounted to presser shoe 61 and a lower end mounted for sliding movement to elongated frame 33.
- Frame 33 includes a horizontally extending lower suspension frame member 72 and a vertically spaced-apart upper suspension frame member 73, each extending longitudinally along frame 33.
- Each suspension frame includes a set of guide bushings 74, 75, respectively, formed for slidable receipt and guidance of each piston rod 71.
- presser shoes 61, 61' will locally reciprocate in the direction of travel of the piston rods as the respective roller mechanisms 45, 45' of support shoes 35 come into contact therewith. Accordingly, a consistent heal seat is formed regardless of can height.
- a suspension spring biasing mechanism 76 Disposed between upper frame member 73 and lower frame member 72 is a suspension spring biasing mechanism 76 having one end contacting elongated frame 33, and an opposite end coupled to presser shoe 61 for biasing the can body and the seated thermoplastic lid against second conveyor second surface 40 to provide the constant fusing pressure.
- biasing mechanism 76 is provided by a compression spring 76 concentrically situated around piston rod 71 between the upper suspension frame member and the lower suspension frame member.
- a seating pin 80 extends through piston rod 71 which limits the reciprocating movement of the piston rod, and hence presser shoe 61, between the upper and lower suspension frame members. Pin 80 further acts as a seating support for the upper end of compression spring 76 to bias the presser shoes toward the second conveyor support surface.
- the compression springs may have variable spring constants (K) which change according to the compression distance (x) to substantially maintain a predetermined constant force.
- the plurality of individual spring suspension mechanisms 43 must be sufficient in number, relative the synchronized conveyor speed, to hold the lid against the can open end for the duration allowing melting and thermal fusion of the lid to the can open end while maintaining a constant pressure therebetween regardless of can body height.
- This duration is not only especially important during heating of the can body and melting of the thermoplastic fusing ring, but also includes the fusing of the ring to the can body flange 18 and the curing of the lid thereafter. Accordingly, as the can/lid combination passes through certain portions of the pathway (i.e., heating, fusing or curing) the pressure between the can and the lid is constant for all can/lids passing through that particular portion of the pathway even should the can heights vary.
- the heating/melting portion of the pathway may maintain a constant fusing pressure, provided by 45 lbs. of constant force force, for all can/lids, while the curing portion of the pathway may maintain a constant fusing pressure, provided by 10 lbs. of constant fusing force, for all can/lids passing therethrough.
- a minimum constant fusing pressure is always maintained and provided between the can and the lid during the entire fusing process, so as to enhance the heat seal integrity even with variation in can body height with adjacent can bodies.
- This sufficient number of suspension mechanisms 43 is also dependent on the length of the induction heating coil 42 extending longitudinally along the upstream portion of the pathway.
- the necessary length of the coil is a function of the power output of the coil and the relative synchronized speed of passage between the conveyors. In general, the slower the speed of passage, which has a smaller can per minute output, the shorter the length of the coil. Conversely, the greater the speed of passage, which has a greater can per minute output, the longer the length of the coil must be to allow a sufficient time to heat the can body. Further, the greater the power output of the coil, the faster the heating of the can body. A greater power output, however, adversely heats the other surrounding metallic components of the lid sealing apparatus.
- the pathway must be sufficiently long to allow fusing and curing of the flange to the thermoplastic lid while maintaining the constant fusing pressure therebetween.
- a 10 foot induction coil allows sufficient time for heating the can bodies at a rate of 400 cans per minute.
- the downstream cooling or curing section of the pathway is approximately the same length as the heating section.
- the lower first conveyor first surface is preferably longer than the second conveyor second surface 40 to permit inspection of the can/lid combination both before entering the sealing apparatus 30, and upon exiting the apparatus (FIGS. 5 and 6).
- a high pressure roller bump device is operably coupled to at least one of the first conveyor assembly and the second conveyor assembly for causing a substantially constant high pressure between the lid and the can open end substantially greater than the constant fusing pressure applied by the suspension mechanisms.
- This increased high pressure substantially improves fusing adhesion between the components.
- more than one consecutive pressure bump devices may be provided to improve fusing adhesion, preferably only one device is aligned along the pathway (FIGS. 5 and 6).
- This pressure bump device 81 is located at a position along a portion of the pathway where the can/lid combination has been sufficiently heated to melt and fuse the lid to the can open end. Hence, it is preferably positioned just downstream from the end of the induction heating coil 42.
- the present invention provides an improved pressure bump device 81 which will increase the fusing force, causing the fusing pressure between the can body and the thermoplastic lid, to as high as about 250 lbs. to about 300 lbs. without causing excessive roller chain wear or damage to the can.
- the desired optimum increase in force, and hence fusing pressure, from at least 50 lbs. depends upon the type of plastic used in the fusing ring portion, and the power and type of induction coil employed.
- the high fusing pressure caused by the high fusing force in excess of about 50 lbs. to about 300 lbs., could have been transferred to the can/lid combination through the presser shoes 61, 61' and the roller chains.
- the chain life would be substantially reduced and the fiberglass flight bars would have to be considerably thicker to prevent deflection. Thicker flight bars would require greater power induction heating coils which would also affect the all the metallic components surrounding the pathway.
- pressure bump device 81 includes a pair of pressure roller pads 82, 83 mounted in opposed relation relative one another to frame 33.
- a stationary upper roller pad 82 is mounted to cross-member 84 of frame 33 just above the flight bars 44 of second conveyor assembly 37, while a lower roller pad 83 is movably mounted to frame 33 just below support shoes 35 of first conveyor assembly 34.
- the opposed roller pads contact the respective flight bars and support shoes to substantially increase the fusing pressure acting on the can/lid combination as it passes through that portion of the pathway.
- Lower roller pad 83 is movably mounted to a high pressure biasing mechanism 84 having a central diaphragm-type piston rod 85 extending therefrom with one end mounted to lower roller pad 83 while an opposite end is movably mounted to the biasing mechanism for biasing the lower roller pad 83 toward the opposing upper roller pad 82.
- FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate that pressure bump device 81 includes four guide rods 86 radially spaced from central piston rod 85 each extending downwardly from lower roller pad 83 toward biasing mechanism 84. These guide rods cooperate to provide lateral support and reciprocating guidance to lower roller pad 83 as the can/lid combinations pass thereover.
- a transverse mounting frame 87 of elongated frame 33 provides support to biasing mechanism 84, and includes a support plate 90 having bushings 91 slidably receiving guide rods 86 for vertical displacement thereof.
- Support plate 90 provides a receiving aperture 92 extending therethrough for slidably receiving central piston rod 85. Accordingly, high pressure bump device 81 provides a substantially increased fusing pressure zone which compensates for variations in can body height for a substantially constant high fusing pressure.
- Both lower roller pad 83 and upper roller pad 82 are preferably provided by a plurality of offset roller wheels 93 in rolling contact with the backside of the support shoes 35 and the backside of the flight bars 44, respectively.
- These roller pads 82 and 83 provide an increased region of high pressure which uniformly distributes the load to the support shoes and the flight bars as the can/lid combination passes through this high pressure portion of the pathway. Hence, a very high pressure area is created without causing deflection of the support shoes or excessive wear of the roller chains.
- biasing mechanism 84 is provided by an adjustable air cylinder capable of providing up to 300 lbs. of constant high fusing force between the roller pads 82 and 83 which enhances adhesion of the can flange 18 to the fusing ring substantially increasing burst pressure. It will be understood that the biasing mechanism could also be provided by a compression spring or the like without departing from the true spirit and nature of the present invention.
- each flight bar 44 includes a heat insulative pad 94 (FIGS. 8 and 10) mounted to the second surfaces 40 thereof at a contact region between the second surface and the can/lid combination.
- Insulative pads 94 are generally square or rectangular shaped and are incorporated to insulate flight bars 44 from direct contact with the flange 18 of can body 21' should the capping machine malfunction and fail to provide a thermoplastic lid thereatop. Accordingly, in this situation, during induction heating of the can body, the flange portion will not burn the epoxy fiberglass flight bars.
- Insulative pads 94 are preferably composed of an industrial ceramic such as Alumina (Aluminum Oxide).
- first conveyor assembly 34 returns the shoes along lower return tracks 95, 95' moving in a direction opposite the support shoes in the pathway (FIG. 8).
- Lower return tracks 95, 95' are provided by spaced-apart L-shaped tracks mounted to elongated frame 33 and formed to provide rolling support to first roller mechanisms 45, 45' as the support shoes travel thereby.
- Each return track 95, 95' preferably includes a DELRIN (linear polyoxymethylene acetal resin) wear strip 96, 96' positioned to provide rolling support for the roller mechanisms thereon.
- DELRIN linear polyoxymethylene acetal resin
- second conveyor assembly 37 returns the flight bars along upper return tracks (not shown but similar to the first conveyor lower return tracks 95, 95') moving in a direction opposite the flight bars in the pathway.
- upper return tracks are preferably provided by spaced-apart L-shaped tracks mounted to elongated frame 33 and formed to provide rolling support to second roller mechanisms 46, 46'. DELRIN wear strips may also be provided as well.
- portions of elongated frame 33 such as cross-members 84, may be formed of high strength fiberglass. Hence, the induction heating coil power output may be increased without adversely affecting these portions of the elongated frame.
- lid sealing apparatus 30' includes a frame 33', and a first rotary conveyor assembly 34' including a lower turret base plate 100' rotatably mounted to frame 33' about rotating axis 101' (FIG. 13).
- a plurality of independent support shoes 35' are slidably mounted to lower plate 100' for reciprocating movement in the direction of axis 101'.
- support shoes 35' are circumferentially positioned in a side-by-side relation about axis 101' which collectively cooperate to define a segmented circular first surface 36' for supporting and moving the cans 21' along a circular pathway.
- a second rotary conveyor assembly 37' includes an upper turret base plate 102' rotatably mounted to frame 33' about axis 101', and is positioned adjacent to first conveyor assembly 34'.
- Second conveyor assembly 37' includes a relatively rigid circular second surface 40' in opposed relation to segmented first surface 36' for further transport of cans 21' between the first and second conveyor assemblies 34', 37', respectively, along the circular pathway.
- a heating element 42' is positioned along a portion of one of the first surface 36' and the second surface 40', and is formed to heat the can bodies for thermal fusion of lid 15' to the can open end 20'.
- a plurality of individual spring suspension mechanisms 43' are operably coupled between respective support shoes 35' and lower plate 100' for individually biasing segmented first surface 36' of first conveyor assembly 34' toward second surface 40' of second conveyor assembly 37' to provide a substantially constant fusing pressure between the can open end 20' and the lid 15' as the two travel as a unit proximate heating element 42'.
- the constant fusing pressure must be sufficient in duration relative to the conveyor speed to hold lid 15' against can open end 20' to allow melting and thermal fusion of the lid to the can open end.
- FIG. 12 illustrates that the cans preferably travel around a circular path at the perimeter of the assembly.
- the cans enter and exit rotary lid sealing apparatus through entrance and exit conveyors 103', 104', respectively, which transport the can/lid combination to and from the apparatus.
- a timing screw 105' aligns and spaces the cans for engagement with an entrance star wheel 106' which in turn spaces and synchronizes each can/lid combination for transport from the entrance conveyor to the rotary lid sealing apparatus.
- an exit star wheel 107' spaces and transports the can/lid combination from the lid sealing apparatus to the exit conveyor.
- Both the upper base plate 102' and lower base plate 100' are rotatably mounted about axis 101' to common shaft 110' which is rotatably supported by frame 33'.
- a spacer 111' (FIG. 13) is positioned between the upper base plate and the lower base plate which spaces the two apart by a distance sufficient to retain the can/lid combination therebetween.
- upper base plate 102' provides a plurality of U-shaped pockets 113' circumferentially positioned about axis 101'. Each pocket 113' is formed and dimensioned to receive a midportion of the can bodies therein for moving support and orientation along the pathway.
- upper turret base plate 102' is about 8 feet in diameter and provides 70 pockets, each of which is synchronized with entrance star wheel 106' and exit star wheel for transport and receipt of the can to and from the lid sealing apparatus.
- an annular cover plate 112' is positioned over each pocket which provides second surface 40'.
- support shoes 35' are circumferentially positioned in a side-by-side relation about axis 101' which collectively cooperate to define a segmented circular first surface 36' for supporting and moving the cans 21' along the circular pathway.
- Each support shoe 35' is preferably U-shaped, similar to pockets 113', and includes a U-shaped lip portion 114' extending upwardly from first surface 36'. Lip portion 114' is formed to receive and retain the opposite end of can body 21' atop and supported by shoes 35' as the can is moved from the entrance star wheel to the support shoe.
- Each support shoe 35' is mounted to a sliding shaft, generally designated 115', which is slidably supported by lower turret base plate 100'. As illustrated in FIG. 14, sliding shaft 115' cooperates with a bearing 116' for sliding support in the direction longitudinally along shaft 115' and along axis 101'. Collectively, bearings 116' are positioned circumferentially around lower turret base plate 100' along the circular pathway, and each is formed for sliding receipt of the corresponding sliding shaft 115'.
- each sliding shaft 115' includes a cam mechanism 117' formed for rolling support on a cam track 120' extending in a direction along the pathway.
- Cam track 120' is mounted to frame 33' (not shown) and is formed to cause the can/lid combination to move into abutting relation, via cam mechanism 117', against second surface 40' of cover plate 112'.
- Cam mechanism 117' includes a pair of opposing rollers 121', 122' mounted to sliding shaft 115' which are positioned on opposite sides of cam track 120'. Accordingly, depending on the vertical displacing path of cam track 120' (FIG.
- rollers 121', 122' rotatably contact cam track 120' sliding shaft 115' reciprocally moves axially therealong causing support shoe 35', and hence the can/lid combination, to move toward or away from cover plate second surface 40' for abutting contact therewith.
- cam mechanism 117' will be in rolling support with an unengaged portion 123' of cam track 120' (FIG. 15).
- cam mechanism 117' ascends a first ramped portion 124' of cam track 120' toward a low pressure engaging portion 125' thereof which gradually moves the lid toward and into contact with second surface 40'.
- each suspension mechanism 43' assures that when cam mechanism 117' is engaged with the low pressure engaging portion of the cam track 120', the pressure between can 21' and lid 15' generated between first surface 36' and second surface 40' is maintained at the desirable constant fusing pressure, regardless of can height variations.
- the low pressure engaging portion 125' of cam track 120' must extend along the circular pathway a sufficient distance, relative to conveyor speed, to hold lid 15' against can open end 20' for a duration allowing melting and thermal fusion of lid to can open end.
- This distance is also a function of the power output of heating element 42' which is positioned opposite cam track engaging portion 125' just above a portion of annular cover plate 112'.
- the faster the conveyor speed the longer the low pressure engaging portion 125' must be at the constant fusing pressure and constant output of heating element 42'.
- the slower the conveyor speed the shorter the cam track engaging portion must be.
- the heating element and the low pressure engaging portion of the cam track each extend about at least one-third of the circular pathway (FIG. 12).
- each suspension mechanism 43' must move support shoe 35' relative the corresponding cam mechanism 117' to compensate for variations in can height. Hence, by providing this adjustment, the required constant low fusing pressure between the can open end and the lid can be maintained, as they move along the cam track engaging portion.
- FIG. 15 illustrates that sliding shaft 115' is provided by a first or tubular shaft 126' mounted to corresponding support shoe 35', and a second or cam follower shaft 127' mounted to cam mechanism 117'.
- Tubular shaft 126' and cam follower shaft 127' are in axially alignment, and are formed to slidably cooperate relative one another for movement of tubular shaft 126' between an extended position (sliding shaft 115' in FIG. 15) and a retracted position (sliding shaft 115' in FIG. 15).
- Tubular shaft 126' forms a bore 130' dimensioned for axial sliding receipt of cam follower shaft 127' therein.
- An upper distal end of cam follower shaft 127' provides a recess 131' formed for receipt of a constant tension spring biasing device 132' for biasing the tubular shaft toward the extended position.
- biasing device 132' includes a low pressure compression spring 133' having one end seated in recess 131' and an opposite end seated against an end of bore 130'.
- the low pressure springs may have variable spring constants (K) which change according to the compression distance (x) to substantially maintain a predetermined constant pressure.
- Low pressure spring 133' thus provides the constant low fusing pressure between can 21' and seated lid 15' as the lid abuts against second surface 40' of cover plate 112' in the low pressure engaging portion of cam track 120'.
- tubular shaft 126' when a particular support shoe 35' and corresponding sliding shaft 115' are positioned in unengaged portion of cam track 120' (sliding shaft 115' in FIG. 15), tubular shaft 126' is in the extended position, relative cam follower shaft 127', and support shoe 35' is retained or supported atop lower turret base plate 100'.
- rollers 121', 122' of cam mechanism 117' rollingly contact first ramped portion 124' of cam track 120' to urge cam follower shaft 127' upwardly, compression spring 133' in turn urges tubular shaft upwardly pushing support shoe 35' toward cover plate 112'.
- tubular shaft 126' slides axially along bearing 116' until lid 15' seats against second surface 40'.
- tubular shaft 126' slidably receives cam follower shaft 127' in bore 130' and moves toward the retracted position (sliding shaft 115"' in FIG. 15).
- Low compression spring 133' is then depressed by an amount proportional to the can body height which retains the can against the lid at the constant fusing pressure.
- the sliding shaft and support shoe remain in the low pressure engaging portion of cam track 120', and under heating element 42', so that the constant fusing pressure is sufficient in duration relative to the conveyor speed to allow melting and thermal fusion of the lid to the can open end.
- cover plate 112', and upper and lower turret base plates 102', 100', respectively, are preferably composed of fiberglass or epoxy laminated fiberglass.
- Support shoes 35' may be provided by DELRIN (linear polyoxymethylene acetal resin) or fiberglass, while bearings 116' are composed of a non-metallic material such as a ceramic or the like.
- sliding shafts 115' are composed of a non-magnetic material such as stainless steel.
- bearing guide mechanism 134' To guide axial sliding displacement of tubular shaft 126' relative bearing 116', a bearing guide mechanism 134' is positioned between bearing 116' and corresponding sliding shaft 115'. As best viewed in FIG. 14, bearing guide mechanism 134' includes a guide key 135' radially protruding from tubular shaft 126' and a slot 136' formed in bearing 116' which is dimensioned for sliding receipt of guide key 135' therealong. Accordingly, bearing guide mechanism 134' permits axial movement of tubular shaft 126' relative bearing 116' while preventing relative rotational movement therebetween.
- a shaft guide mechanism 137' is provided which includes a retaining pin 138' (FIG. 15) extending through cam follower shaft 127', and is slidingly received in retaining channels 140' provided by tubular shaft 126'.
- retaining pin 138' slides longitudinally along channel 140' for guided movement therein.
- retaining pin 138' prevents separation of the tubular shaft from the cam follower shaft 127' when the sliding shaft is situated at the unengaged portion of the cam track.
- a high pressure roller bump device 141' is provided which is operably coupled to first conveyor assembly 34' and second conveyor assembly 37'. Similar to the linear conveyor-type embodiment, bump device 141' generates a substantially constant high fusing pressure between the lid and the can open end which is substantially greater than the constant low fusing pressure applied by the suspension mechanisms at the low pressure engaging portion of the cam track. This increased high pressure substantially improves fusing adhesion between the components.
- this pressure bump device 141' is located at a position along a portion of the circular pathway (FIG. 12) where the can/lid combination has been heated for a sufficient duration to melt and fuse the lid to the can open end. Hence, it is preferably positioned just downstream from the end of the induction heating coil 42'.
- Each suspension mechanism 43' includes a high pressure compression spring 143' which, when depressed and when in combination with low pressure compression spring 133', provides the substantially constant high fusing pressure between the lid and the can open end.
- low pressure spring 133' is preferably concentrically positioned inside high pressure spring 143', and is dimensioned to have an untensioned height (H 1 ) greater than an untensioned height (H 2 ) of high pressure spring 143'.
- high pressure compression spring 143' is free of engagement between tubular shaft 126' and cam follower shaft 127' so that the constant low fusing pressure provided by low pressure spring 133' is uninfluenced by high pressure spring 143'.
- cam track 120' To engage and depress high pressure spring 143' to provide the constant high fusing pressure, cam track 120' includes a second ramped portion 144' (FIG. 16) which vertically displaces cam follower shaft 127' upwardly toward a high pressure engaging portion 145' thereof, via cam mechanism 117'. Upon each cam mechanism 117' moving towards high pressure engaging portion 145', cam follower shaft 127' slides axially relative tubular shaft 126' (the retracted position) by an amount sufficient to depress high pressure spring 143' to induce the constant high fusing pressure between first conveyor first surface 36' and second conveyor second surface 40'. It will be understood, of course, that both the low pressure spring 133' and the high pressure spring 143' collectively provide the constant high fusing pressure between the lid and the can.
- roller bump device 141' To reduce vertical deflection of second surface 40' of cover plate 112' as the can/lid combination abuts the second surface at the constant high fusing pressure, roller bump device 141' includes a roller pad 142' positioned in rolling contact with an upper surface of cover plate 112' (FIG. 16). Roller pad 142', mounted to frame 33', provides a firm and uniform distribution of rolling support across the pad to substantially prevent upward vertical deflection of cover plate 112'. Accordingly, the length of the high pressure engaging portion of cam track 120' is approximately equivalent to the length of the roller pad 142'.
- a downward ramped portion moves cam mechanism 117' back to the low pressure engaging portion of cam track 120' where the constant low fusing pressure is reapplied between the can and the lid during the cooling down phase of the fusing process (FIG. 12).
- the fused lids are transported, via exit star wheel 107', from the rotary lid sealing apparatus to exit conveyor 104'.
- a method of fusing a heat-sealable lid 15 to an open end of a can body 21 is provided using the above-described lid sealing apparatus 30.
- the method comprises the steps positioning the lid on the can open end 20, placing the can body 21 and lid 15 between first conveyor first surface 36 and second conveyor second surface 40 for transport along said pathway. Next, heating can body 21 along a portion of one of the first surface and the second surface to a temperature sufficient to thermally fuse lid 15 to can open end 20.
- lid 15 against open end 20 of can body 21 at a substantially constant fusing pressure, regardless of variations in can height, between can open end 20 and lid 15 for a duration allowing melting and thermal fusion of the lid to the can open end as the can and the lid travel as a unit along the pathway between the first and the second conveyor assemblies.
- the holding step includes passing can body 21 and lid 15 through a plurality of individual spring suspension mechanisms 43 individually biasing first surface 36 of first conveyor assembly 34 toward second surface 40 of second conveyor assembly 37 to provide the constant fusing pressure.
- Each said spring suspension mechanism 43 is operably mounted to elongated frame 33, and the plurality of individual spring suspension mechanisms are sufficient in number relative to conveyor speed to hold the lid against the can open end for a duration.
- the method may further include the step of synchronizing the speed of passage of first surface 36 with second surface 40 through the pathway while carrying can body 21 between the first and the opposing second surface through a synchronism mechanism 41 operably coupled between the first and second conveyor assemblies.
- the method provides a substantially constant high pressure between thermoplastic lid 15 and the can body open end 20 substantially greater than the constant fusing pressure to improve fusing adhesion therebetween upon passage through a pressure bump device.
- the high pressure bump device operably urging the first conveyor first surface 36 toward the second conveyor second surface 40.
- the pressure bump device 81 being located at a position along sealing apparatus 30 where the can body has been sufficiently heated to melt and fuse thermoplastic lid 15 to the can open end.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Closing Of Containers (AREA)
- Package Closures (AREA)
- Lining Or Joining Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims (104)
Priority Applications (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US08/260,191 US5562799A (en) | 1994-06-15 | 1994-06-15 | Constant fusing pressure thermoplastic lid sealing apparatus and method |
AU28663/95A AU2866395A (en) | 1994-06-15 | 1995-06-14 | Constant fusing pressure sealing apparatus and method |
JP50254796A JP3696244B2 (en) | 1994-06-15 | 1995-06-14 | Constant fusion pressure sealing apparatus and method |
PCT/US1995/007772 WO1995034469A1 (en) | 1994-06-15 | 1995-06-14 | Constant fusing pressure sealing apparatus and method |
EP95923975A EP0762972A1 (en) | 1994-06-15 | 1995-06-14 | Constant fusing pressure sealing apparatus and method |
IL11418495A IL114184A0 (en) | 1994-06-15 | 1995-06-15 | Thermoplastic lid sealing apparatus and method |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US08/260,191 US5562799A (en) | 1994-06-15 | 1994-06-15 | Constant fusing pressure thermoplastic lid sealing apparatus and method |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US5562799A true US5562799A (en) | 1996-10-08 |
Family
ID=22988144
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US08/260,191 Expired - Lifetime US5562799A (en) | 1994-06-15 | 1994-06-15 | Constant fusing pressure thermoplastic lid sealing apparatus and method |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US5562799A (en) |
EP (1) | EP0762972A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP3696244B2 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2866395A (en) |
IL (1) | IL114184A0 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1995034469A1 (en) |
Cited By (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20050126883A1 (en) * | 2003-12-12 | 2005-06-16 | Ernst Leisner | Positioning device and conveyor system with the positioning device |
US20060071004A1 (en) * | 2001-10-17 | 2006-04-06 | Ven Giezen Maurice G M | Method for producing a container for a pressurized fluid, and container of this type |
US20090050780A1 (en) * | 2007-08-24 | 2009-02-26 | Poe Garrett D | Devices For Reducing Or Eliminating Defects In Polymer Workpieces |
US20100252167A1 (en) * | 2007-04-10 | 2010-10-07 | Altair Technologies, Inc. | Apparatus and method of material bonding using captive plungers |
US20100280044A1 (en) * | 2003-06-06 | 2010-11-04 | Klaus Stephen J | Enhanced erythropoiesis and iron metabolism |
US20120324836A1 (en) * | 2011-06-24 | 2012-12-27 | Phoenix Closures, Inc. | Method of application of closure liner in hot fill packages |
WO2013063063A1 (en) | 2011-10-28 | 2013-05-02 | Sonoco Development, Inc. | Apparatus and method for induction sealing of conveyed workpieces |
US20130272820A1 (en) * | 2012-04-12 | 2013-10-17 | Sonoco Development, Inc. | Method of Making a Retort Container |
US20140328649A1 (en) * | 2005-03-01 | 2014-11-06 | Crown Packaging Technology, Inc. | Packaging Can and Method and Apparatus for Its Manufacture |
US8939695B2 (en) | 2011-06-16 | 2015-01-27 | Sonoco Development, Inc. | Method for applying a metal end to a container body |
US8998027B2 (en) | 2011-09-02 | 2015-04-07 | Sonoco Development, Inc. | Retort container with thermally fused double-seamed or crimp-seamed metal end |
US20230117653A1 (en) * | 2020-03-16 | 2023-04-20 | Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd. | Heat-seal device |
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US9883551B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2018-01-30 | Silgan Containers Llc | Induction heating system for food containers and method |
US10237924B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2019-03-19 | Silgan Containers Llc | Temperature detection system for food container induction heating system and method |
WO2015164174A1 (en) | 2014-04-24 | 2015-10-29 | Silgan Containers Llc | Food container induction heating system having power based microbial lethality monitoring |
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- 1995-06-14 JP JP50254796A patent/JP3696244B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1995-06-14 WO PCT/US1995/007772 patent/WO1995034469A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1995-06-14 EP EP95923975A patent/EP0762972A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1995-06-15 IL IL11418495A patent/IL114184A0/en unknown
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Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20060071004A1 (en) * | 2001-10-17 | 2006-04-06 | Ven Giezen Maurice G M | Method for producing a container for a pressurized fluid, and container of this type |
US20100280044A1 (en) * | 2003-06-06 | 2010-11-04 | Klaus Stephen J | Enhanced erythropoiesis and iron metabolism |
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US9895737B2 (en) * | 2005-03-01 | 2018-02-20 | Crown Packaging Technology, Inc. | Packaging can and method and apparatus for its manufacture |
US20140328649A1 (en) * | 2005-03-01 | 2014-11-06 | Crown Packaging Technology, Inc. | Packaging Can and Method and Apparatus for Its Manufacture |
US8118074B2 (en) * | 2007-04-10 | 2012-02-21 | Altair Technologies, Inc | Apparatus and method of material bonding using captive plungers |
US20100252167A1 (en) * | 2007-04-10 | 2010-10-07 | Altair Technologies, Inc. | Apparatus and method of material bonding using captive plungers |
US8342492B2 (en) * | 2007-08-24 | 2013-01-01 | Nexolve Corporation | Devices for reducing or eliminating defects in polymer workpieces |
US20090050780A1 (en) * | 2007-08-24 | 2009-02-26 | Poe Garrett D | Devices For Reducing Or Eliminating Defects In Polymer Workpieces |
US8939695B2 (en) | 2011-06-16 | 2015-01-27 | Sonoco Development, Inc. | Method for applying a metal end to a container body |
US20120324836A1 (en) * | 2011-06-24 | 2012-12-27 | Phoenix Closures, Inc. | Method of application of closure liner in hot fill packages |
US9988179B2 (en) | 2011-09-02 | 2018-06-05 | Sonoco Development, Inc. | Container with thermally fused double-seamed or crimp-seamed metal end |
US10994888B2 (en) | 2011-09-02 | 2021-05-04 | Sonoco Development, Inc. | Container with thermally fused double-seamed or crimp-seamed metal end |
US10259612B2 (en) | 2011-09-02 | 2019-04-16 | Sonoco Development, Inc. | Container with thermally fused double-seamed or crimp-seamed metal end |
US8998027B2 (en) | 2011-09-02 | 2015-04-07 | Sonoco Development, Inc. | Retort container with thermally fused double-seamed or crimp-seamed metal end |
US9499299B2 (en) | 2011-09-02 | 2016-11-22 | Sonoco Development, Inc. | Container with thermally fused double-seamed or crimp-seamed metal end |
US9783337B2 (en) | 2011-09-02 | 2017-10-10 | Sonoco Development, Inc. | Container with thermally fused double-seamed or crimp-seamed metal end |
US10131455B2 (en) * | 2011-10-28 | 2018-11-20 | Sonoco Development, Inc. | Apparatus and method for induction sealing of conveyed workpieces |
US20130105467A1 (en) * | 2011-10-28 | 2013-05-02 | Sonoco Development, Inc. | Apparatus and Method for Induction Sealing of Conveyed Workpieces |
WO2013063063A1 (en) | 2011-10-28 | 2013-05-02 | Sonoco Development, Inc. | Apparatus and method for induction sealing of conveyed workpieces |
US20130272820A1 (en) * | 2012-04-12 | 2013-10-17 | Sonoco Development, Inc. | Method of Making a Retort Container |
US10399139B2 (en) * | 2012-04-12 | 2019-09-03 | Sonoco Development, Inc. | Method of making a retort container |
US10569324B2 (en) * | 2012-04-12 | 2020-02-25 | Sonoco Development, Inc. | Method of making a retort container |
US11040495B2 (en) | 2012-04-12 | 2021-06-22 | Sonoco Development, Inc | Method of making a retort container |
US20230117653A1 (en) * | 2020-03-16 | 2023-04-20 | Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd. | Heat-seal device |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO1995034469A1 (en) | 1995-12-21 |
EP0762972A1 (en) | 1997-03-19 |
JPH10504509A (en) | 1998-05-06 |
JP3696244B2 (en) | 2005-09-14 |
AU2866395A (en) | 1996-01-05 |
IL114184A0 (en) | 1995-10-31 |
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